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Case study
A system of EFCAs with multiple environmental benefits has been set up in the upper basin of the Yangtze River. The aim is to contribute to the national ecological function conservation area. The strategic goal of the project was to build necessary capacity to assess and plan the location of future EFCAs, design and implement a system to monitor environmental values, and to demonstrate integrated ecosystem management.
Efforts have been made to establish two demonstration sites to increase water retention capacity and reduce sediment loads, coordinate sector programs, protect biodiversity, and increase carbon gains in an integrated manner. In each demo site province, a committee with representation from major stakeholders presided by the provincial government coordinate all the activities in the project.
Based on the results of the demonstration activities, the Chinese Government is expected to replicate the project results throughout the Yangtze upper river basin in the future. Training syllabus and materials for 1,000 school children, farmers, authorities, and various managers were developed and disseminated among the agencies represented in the IEMCC. IEM and environmental protection training sessions have been introduced in primary schools. A database and ecological monitoring models and early warning system in coordination with the two demos were established i.e., Baoxing, Sichuan; and Laojunshan, Yunnan.
The outcome is the development of alternative livelihoods to promote local economic growth and to increase income of local villagers. Livelihoods such as traditional Chinese herb cultivation and fruit tree plantation have been initiated through this project. With the support of the project, 76 local Tibetan families have started ecotourism business and cultivation of traditional Chinese herbs has been further extended. Laojunshan Demo site also continued with alternative livelihood development, supporting Yangdu mushroom cultivation.
Ecotourism in Lashihai area and plantation of Morchellaspp (a kind of mushroom considered as delicacy in China) are some of the two successful examples of alternative livelihood development in the demo-site. Other important out comes of the project include enhancement of remote sensing and field surveys to develop water retention indicators, soil erosion and sedimentation indicators and indicators for measuring habitat quality.
The project took advantage of positive natural and political conditions to sustain the integrated management of the Yangtze River Basin watershed areas and conservation of biodiversity. Thus, MEP mainstream IEM in the implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP).
The project has received the Government of China’s high priority. Nature conservation in the upper Yangtze River Basin region has received much attention and support , with planned investment of 9.29 billion USD in the next five years.
These resources, paying for rehabilitation and restoration measures, will be sector-based and led by the various ministries. Part of these rehabilitation and restoration efforts have established the baseline of investments that this project will build upon to achieve environmental benefits.
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